Australia v India: Abuse from the stands is just not cricket

Indian players say they were ­racially abused at the SCG over the past two days; others dispute this. Whatever the facts, the Border Gavaskar series has taken a turn for the worse.

Australia's captain Tim Paine, left, congratulates his teammate Cameron Green on scoring a half-century on the fourth day of the third Test. Picture: AFP

Indian players say they were ­racially abused at the SCG over the past two days; others dispute this claim. Whatever the facts, the Border Gavaskar series has taken a turn for the worse.

On a day when the focus should have been on the arrival in Test cricket of Australia’s first genuine No 6 since Michael Hussey, all anyone was talking about was the poor behaviour of a small section of the small crowd.

When Cameron Green, 21, walked off after scoring 84, including four booming sixes, the tension at the SCG was palpable.

The visitors are unhappy, their board was meeting with Cricket Australia’s chiefs on Sunday night to fin­ally determine if and where the fourth Test would take place — all indications are that will be Brisbane — and the hosts have grabbed the advantage in the third match and the series.

India has two batsmen injured and two already out as it tries to navigate a final day with a deficit of more than 300.

The team was adamant its players have been repeatedly abused during the game.

Absent Indian captain Virat Kohli said on Twitter: “Racial abuse is absolutely unacceptable. Having gone through many incidents of really pathetic things said on the boundary lines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour. It is sad to see this happen on the field.

“The incident needs to be looked at with absolute urgency and seriousness and strict action against the offenders should set things straight for once.”

Racial abuse is absolutely unacceptable. Having gone through many incidents of really pathetic things said on the boundary Iines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour. It's sad to see this happen on the field.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 10, 2021

Two incidents are under review, with an investigation into what was said to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj on Saturday and a separate review of an exchange on Sunday afternoon.

Siraj was fielding in front of the Brewongle Stand when his captain, Ajinkya Rahane, informed umpires his player was being abused. The game stopped for an extended period as police and security tried to ascertain who was responsible.

Six patrons were asked to leave but it is understood it was because they were intoxicated.

Other patrons said the fans were not being racists, but Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin was pulling no punches in the press conference after play finished.

Police speak to spectators following a complaint from Mohammed Siraj that stopped play during day four of the Third Test match. Picture: Getty Images

“I’d like to point out something; this is my fourth trip to Australia and in Sydney we have had a few experiences in the past,” he said.

“I think one or two times the players have reacted and got in trouble and that’s not because of the players, this is because the way the crowd has been speaking, especially in the lower tier of the stands.

“They have been quite nasty. They have been hurling abuse, but this time they have gone one step higher and used racial abuse.

“There was an official complaint yesterday and the umpires said we have to bring it to their notice when it happens.

“This is not acceptable in this day and age. We have seen a lot. I think this comes back to upbringing and this must be dealt with with an iron fist.

“We must make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Justin Langer, who was outspoken about crowd behaviour when his side was in England in 2019, said the incidents were “upsetting and disappointing”.

Australia's Cameron Green plays a shot during day four of the third Test. Picture: AFP

“I’ve said for years it’s one of my greatest pet hates in life that people think they can come to a sporting event, whether it’s cricket or any code, and pay their money and think they can abuse or say whatever they like,” he said.

“I hated it as a player, I hate it as a coach. We’ve seen it in different parts of the world and it’s ­really sad to see it happen in Australia. There’s been a lot of talk over the last couple of years but it’s sad to see that happen.

“I think our series so far has been played in such great spirits. It’s been incredible cricket, brilliant to watch on the field, really good spirits between both teams.

“It’s a shame to see it getting marred by incidents like we’re hearing about.”

One shame of the controversy is that it detracted from an incredible batting display by young all-rounder Cameron Green.

Batting with veteran skipper Tim Paine, the 21-year-old put on a show for the crowd of 10,000, smashing a series of boundaries as the declaration approached. Green hit Siraj deep into the Victor Trumper stand three times and then despatched Bumrah into the Brewrongle for good measure.

Cricket Australia head of security Sean Carroll issued an apology to the Indian side. “The abuse of cricketers by crowd members is not acceptable,” he said.